Saturday, April 30, 2016

DIY: Where Inspiration Meets Perspiration (Meets Exasperation!)

Hello,

Just got in from mowing my little lawn.  I am pooped because it wasn't all that tall, but man was it thick!  The mower wasn't happy either.  I have a tiny lot and I can't mow the whole thing on one tank of gas!  There was a learning curve for me from my big ol' golf course mower (named "Big Red.")  I would've looked pretty silly riding it around my postage stamp lot-- although I could mow the whole neighborhood...hmmm.  But, I don't think it would make it through the gate LOL!

Though "Big Red" had some idiosyncrasies to say the least, once I got her started she mowed a fabulous striped lawn.  The first time I pulled out the push mower, I realized I had no idea how to start it.  Fortunately, I had a delivery that day from my work and my friend/delivery driver showed me how.  Who knew you had to prime the motor???  I also didn't know if you let go of the little lever, even for a second, it turned off.  Safety is such a pain.

I was proud of myself (after watching YouTube,) to find the oil lid and then check it.  I have been yelled at many times over the years about oil checking, so this an ingrained behavior. Then I pulled out the weed eater and it's a whole different animal.  Back to YouTube and another smart friend at work.  What the heck does 2-stroke, etc. mean anyway?  Well, I guess it means adding oil to the gas--but we did that for Taylor's dirt bike, so I knew what to do:)

These home shows (and even worse Norm Abrahms) sure get a whole lot accomplished in a half hour.  The YouTube videos are only a few minutes.  One can feel like a failure when they make it look so easy!

I have had a small air compressor in a box for around 3 years.  I thought I could use it for lots of things, mainly inflating my Jeep's tires.  But I wasn't sure how to work it and I didn't want to blow anything up, so I continued pay a buck a trip for air (likely spending more than I did on the compressor!)  Finally, I couldn't find a working air pump at a gas station and had a really low tire, so I got it out.  After asking yet another co-worker how to work it, I got it running.  Turns out, it takes a month of Sundays to fill just one tire!  Epic fail...

Every time I work with a ladder I drop 50 things and/or have to get down to get something.  After installing my new shutters and a security light (battery operated, of course) I was exhausted.  But, the worst, yet proudest moment was when I installed my "Smart" thermostat from an analog one.  I should've waited for someone else to be here to do the legwork.  Long story short, I had to run up and down the stairs to turn the power off and on (and that means lights too), figure out which extra wire could be used that was already hooked up to the very bottom of my furnace too, run up, see if that was the one, and try again...and again.  I don't know how folks do things without three hands!

The instructions said it would take 20 minutes.  It was more like an hour and a half.  But not only did I get it working, but actually got the wifi part set up before I froze to death!  There is something unnecessary, but satisfying,  to turn your furnace on/off with your tablet/phone!   I also have seen significant savings on my utility bills!

Until next time...watch out for me and power tools!!!

Gale

PS:  I became a plumber today and tied my house's broken sump pump line into my tiling!  Go me!  Now have to work on drainage a few other places....

Friday, April 8, 2016

Gale's Gallery XXII: New Plush Dies & What To Do With Them!

Hello Crafters!

I told myself that I wasn't gonna fall for this latest trend, but when I saw the chicken, it was all over.
I won't be buying tons of these "plush dies" as they run in the mid to upper $20 price point.  However, they are large, come with their own magnetic back, are precut and can be used on more than one surface (paper, chipboard, etc.)

I really try to find off the label uses for things to justify the expense.    With one tiny modification, I made it into a duck.  I think a quilt with hens/ducks in cool fabrics is on the docket, but for now I had some baby gift decorations to make.  Since they were for babies, I kept the embellishments to a minimum. They are lightly stuffed.  These can be made into ornaments or if you have toy dogs or cats...put a squeaker or catnip in them! You can definitely use other dies, they just won't have the holes.

The dies are available from My Favorite Things and Simon Says Stamp so far.  You will want to use a wool blend of felt and not the kids stuff as it will disintegrate.  If you get your felt from Ellen Hutson you can get individual colors for around $2 a large sheet.  These would be good dies for sharing among several friends with different dies.  I believe they will work in about any die cutting machine.

I only have the chicken die so far and here are my thoughts:

I love how it punches the holes, but beware it makes a mess if little felt dots bother you.  I poke them out over my craft table, then take the pieces up to sew in front of the TV.  It comes with a tiny little beak and eyes, which to me are too small to deal with.  I used a french knot for the eyes and

TIP ALERT!  I used the heart die for the beak!   Just flip it around and you will have a nice area to catch in your stitching of the body.   I feel so clever for doing that because none of the "famous" crafters have mentioned it to my knowledge!


Chick...

Chick...

Duck!!!


I just use plain old embroidery floss (3 strands) and do a backstitch around, but any stitch you like will be great!  There are several more pieces to the die cut set, but I didn't use them here.

Well, that's it for this time!

Gale

Coming very soon...How many animals can I make with one SSS plush bear die????  I just got it and I'm shooting for 10!


Monday, April 4, 2016

Things Are Gettin' "Harry" At The 'Creek! -Part One

Hi everyone!

Hope this finds you all doing well!  Long ago, I promised the kids if we could get through the selling of our former place/move to the new we would reward ourselves with a little trip.  We haven't been on one in recent memory.  The only place we agreed on was Universal Studios-Orlando to see the new "Wizarding World of Harry Potter."  It is going to be a marathon trip--leave one day, go to the park a day and return home the next day.  It's the best I can do, but I think we can swing it!

The "Wizarding World" is actually one section of Universal's original park and one section of Universal's Island of Adventure.  Pretty clever as you are stuck paying for two-park passes which are a dizzying $155 a person a day without any frills (express, early entry, etc.)  You have to have this pass to take the Hogwarts Express train between the two sections which are "Diagon Alley" and "Hogsmeade."    Here is an interactive tour.


Diagon Alley

Hogwarts

What started this was a travel channel show about the making of Diagon Alley which is the new section and the Florida park is the only one with it.  Another reason to get rid of satellite TV!  LOL! Now we want to go to Europe and all sorts of places!

I usually don't go for "dark" or "gross" movies/books, but since these were written for children, they were tamed down.  It's more about the story and the wild imagination of JK Rowling.  I like the books better.  I started working as the public relations manager of the local library, then went on to be a sub-teacher for 11 years in all grades, so I was surrounded by kids packing those books around.  Even kids which normally wouldn't read unless forced.

I always tried to be relevant when I taught so I read whatever was popular for any age.  I wound up loving the first book and remember the big deal when we waited outside our little local theater to watch the first movie the day of its release.

So off we go this Summer...I got a package from a little known airline called Allegiant.  They only fly on Tues, Thurs, Sat and Sun--one trip a day.  The tickets appeared to be selling out and the price goes up as they sell off whatever amount they set aside for each price bracket.  Really looks like a great deal until you realize that is the base price.  Not only are there the usual fees/taxes, but if you want to take more than a purse, it's 30.00 for a carry on and $40 to check a suitcase.  They charge "comfort fees" when you pick your seat, meaning no matter where you sit, there is an additional charge of $15-$25 each way.  If you want to get on the plane first, it's $6 each way.  It just goes on and on...I wouldn't be surprised if there is a charge to use the lavatory!

We are staying at the Hilton at the park entrance because the park hotels are astronomical unless you are staying several days.  But, it's a "partner" hotel, so there are supposed to be a few perks.   We have been studying the ins and outs online and watching youtube experiences.  We have quite a shopping and food testing list.  There are only a handful of rides, so we should have lots of time.  We will likely catch other sections of the park as well.


Hogswart Express- an authentic steam train

Audra and I are kicking around doing a "haul video" when we return, also sharing our tips and tricks.  One thing all agreed upon by all we have learned so far is that it's amazing even for those not familiar with the books/movies.   They spared no expense on the details of the experience.  You even walk through the wall at Platform 9 3/4 to get on the train.  They have little "Easter Eggs" throughout the park of little known "secrets," places to perform "spells" with your interactive wands and waiting for the rides is as enjoyable as riding.  It will likely be a million degrees out, so we are told to do Diagon in the afternoon as it is shaded/air-conditioned.  I guess we will be swilling the cold non-alcoholic "Butterbeer!"

If you have been there and have suggestions/tips/tricks please let us know in the comments below!

Until next time!

Gale